Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya in an Instagram post on Thursday announced that he and wife Natasa Stankovic have 'mutually parted ways'. The news comes after months of speculation about the separation of the pair.
Natasa Stankovic, Hardik Pandya Split
The couple posted a statement on their Instagram handles that read, “After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect, and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family.”
In recent weeks, rumors about their divorce have been circulating, especially after the Indian cricket team won the T20 World Cup and fans noticed Natasa didn't publicly congratulate Hardik. This week, Natasa returned to Serbia with their son, Agastya Pandya, while Hardik was seen enjoying the Ambani-Merchant wedding in the company of actor Ananya Panday.
But Netizens Lash Out At Model
On one hand, amid the divorce, Hardik and Ananya's dance segment in the viral videos caught the attention of netizens, and many fans began to speculate that Hardik and Ananya might start dating and that Anant and Radhika's wedding played a role in bringing them closer.
On the other hand, Natasa received a fresh wave of criticism on social media, similar to the backlash she faced when she first removed Pandya from her surname on Instagram. One user commented, “Hard to believe,” while another wrote, “Couldn't recognize this nice person, (She couldn't recognize how good he was.)”
More hurtful comments followed, with one person saying, “He'll find someone better,” and another adding, “Leave her, sir; you deserve much better than her.” A series of misogynistic remarks also surfaced, questioning how much Natasa would receive in the divorce settlement. One person wrote, “How much property do you take with you Hardik Bhaiya? (How much of your property will she take now?)”
Rumors about Hardik and Natasa's relationship began when the model attended a grand party hosted by him. By 2020, they had tied the knot in a private ceremony and welcomed their son, Agastya Pandya, that same year.
